Garth may have mismanaged or overspent, but he put tons of money and love into his Cineplex Odeon houses, and it shows. They had curtains and wall decorations and lots of neon and other touches. They weren’t palaces but they were showplaces; Garth was an exhibitor and a showman. Compare him to the bureaucrats who run UA/Regal, with their lack of imagination and dreadful designs. Everytime I’m in the UA 14th Street I expect to hear bus departure announcements.
Sorry, I meant when I was at the Lyric/Park, which while full of atmosphere, was probably not an atmospheric! Never been to the Mayfair, which was already gone by the time I discovered Asbury Park.
The balcony was already closed when I was here, and a drop ceiling over the orchestra, with no access to the ceiling that I could find. I would have loved to have seen the atmospherics, or what may have been left of them.
Tommy was one of the first movies I saw at the Ziegfeld and I can remember it as if it was yesterday. The sound and spectacle were awesome; and coming from the suburbs (RKO Twin, anyone?) the theater was a revelation. Who knew you could see a movie in such a glamorous and elegant setting.
We’re lucky that in New York City “art” releases and mainstream releases often share the same venue, as at the Clearview Chelsea, Loews Lincoln Square, AMC Empire, and Regal 14th Street. Even the Ziegfeld just played Raging Bull, a picture more likely to be found at the Film Forum. So it is conceivable that King and I could have an arthouse release plan, yet play at a big screen house in NYC and the art rounds in other markets.
The Brooklyn Paramount is larger and more sumptuous than the Kings, mainly because of its location in downtown Brooklyn, which was the equivalent of a major city in those days. The Brooklyn Paramount was also the first theatre built in the project that Loew’s took over from Paramount and became known as the “Loew’s Wonder Theatres.” That’s how Rapp & Rapp became architects of the Kings. They had already been scheduled for it by Paramount…The Brooklyn Paramount now seems to have an edge over the Kings in restoration to a theatre, since it’s in better physical condition and better served by public transportation. (Copied from Warren’s post on Loew’s Kings page.)
The Brooklyn Paramount is larger and more sumptuous than the Kings, mainly because of its location in downtown Brooklyn, which was the equivalent of a major city in those days. The Brooklyn Paramount was also the first theatre built in the project that Loew’s took over from Paramount and became known as the “Loew’s Wonder Theatres.” That’s how Rapp & Rapp became architects of the Kings. They had already been scheduled for it by Paramount…The Brooklyn Paramount now seems to have an edge over the Kings in restoration to a theatre, since it’s in better physical condition and better served by public transportation.
posted by Warren on Mar 16, 2005 at 10:10am
I think I saw “Ape” here, with the memorable notice posted *Not to be confused with King Kong. By this time the theatre had very little charm but it still had an open balcony.
There is no such place as this. The Plaza a/k/a Flatbush Pavilion, is closed. Although this name turns up in search engines, there ain’t no there, there.
This Friday was my first time at the Loew’s Jersey, and I have fallen in love with it. What a treat to see a classic movie in a classic setting. It’s really amazing to think that this was just a neighborhood theater, one you could go to any day of the week. Unlike Radio City, which I love but think of as more of a destination theater that I’d plan in advance, rather than just passing by and popping in. I was happy to see the big screen fill the proscenium, the picture nice and bright, and the sound loud and clear.
I saw a flat film that filled the screen. I know that in some places where there is no room for scope size, they drop the top masking and show the wide image on a smaller screen. Is that what they do here? Even so, it must look sensational.
I wish I had! I’ve been in many others (see my comments on Boston’s Pilgrim Theater, for example) but if I had known back then that it was part of the old Strand Theater I would have made a special trip. Ah, hindsight, so to speak.
Although no x-rated movies played at the Strand/Warner, they certainly played at the Cine Orleans, built on the old Strand stage with its entrance on 47th Street. I remember the Cine’s facade was elaborate grillwork in the New Orleans style, but I never went inside.
Garth may have mismanaged or overspent, but he put tons of money and love into his Cineplex Odeon houses, and it shows. They had curtains and wall decorations and lots of neon and other touches. They weren’t palaces but they were showplaces; Garth was an exhibitor and a showman. Compare him to the bureaucrats who run UA/Regal, with their lack of imagination and dreadful designs. Everytime I’m in the UA 14th Street I expect to hear bus departure announcements.
stoppit already, my mailbox is exhausted!
rooftop theater
Sorry, I meant when I was at the Lyric/Park, which while full of atmosphere, was probably not an atmospheric! Never been to the Mayfair, which was already gone by the time I discovered Asbury Park.
The balcony was already closed when I was here, and a drop ceiling over the orchestra, with no access to the ceiling that I could find. I would have loved to have seen the atmospherics, or what may have been left of them.
I saw Robin and Marian there. Not a good movie, and a bit of a downer. But I don’t recall an empty house.
Tommy was one of the first movies I saw at the Ziegfeld and I can remember it as if it was yesterday. The sound and spectacle were awesome; and coming from the suburbs (RKO Twin, anyone?) the theater was a revelation. Who knew you could see a movie in such a glamorous and elegant setting.
We’re lucky that in New York City “art” releases and mainstream releases often share the same venue, as at the Clearview Chelsea, Loews Lincoln Square, AMC Empire, and Regal 14th Street. Even the Ziegfeld just played Raging Bull, a picture more likely to be found at the Film Forum. So it is conceivable that King and I could have an arthouse release plan, yet play at a big screen house in NYC and the art rounds in other markets.
Friends of the LIU gymnasium, unite!
Friends of the Brooklyn Paramount, unite!
And that’s a very interesting site. Thanks for the tip.
In a word, wow! But I wonder if the Lyric actualy played those two movies, or if it was a mock up for the film.
The Brooklyn Paramount is larger and more sumptuous than the Kings, mainly because of its location in downtown Brooklyn, which was the equivalent of a major city in those days. The Brooklyn Paramount was also the first theatre built in the project that Loew’s took over from Paramount and became known as the “Loew’s Wonder Theatres.” That’s how Rapp & Rapp became architects of the Kings. They had already been scheduled for it by Paramount…The Brooklyn Paramount now seems to have an edge over the Kings in restoration to a theatre, since it’s in better physical condition and better served by public transportation. (Copied from Warren’s post on Loew’s Kings page.)
Posted today on the Loew’s Kings page:
The Brooklyn Paramount is larger and more sumptuous than the Kings, mainly because of its location in downtown Brooklyn, which was the equivalent of a major city in those days. The Brooklyn Paramount was also the first theatre built in the project that Loew’s took over from Paramount and became known as the “Loew’s Wonder Theatres.” That’s how Rapp & Rapp became architects of the Kings. They had already been scheduled for it by Paramount…The Brooklyn Paramount now seems to have an edge over the Kings in restoration to a theatre, since it’s in better physical condition and better served by public transportation.
posted by Warren on Mar 16, 2005 at 10:10am
Friends of the Paramount, unite!
Let’s fill it with 3300 people and see how it sounds then!
I don’t think it was ever fixed.
I think I saw “Ape” here, with the memorable notice posted *Not to be confused with King Kong. By this time the theatre had very little charm but it still had an open balcony.
And this listing should probably go back to Plaza, as it seems that was its name for most of its life.
There is no such place as this. The Plaza a/k/a Flatbush Pavilion, is closed. Although this name turns up in search engines, there ain’t no there, there.
Still closed, with Man on Fire and Van Helsing still on the marquee.
This Friday was my first time at the Loew’s Jersey, and I have fallen in love with it. What a treat to see a classic movie in a classic setting. It’s really amazing to think that this was just a neighborhood theater, one you could go to any day of the week. Unlike Radio City, which I love but think of as more of a destination theater that I’d plan in advance, rather than just passing by and popping in. I was happy to see the big screen fill the proscenium, the picture nice and bright, and the sound loud and clear.
I saw a flat film that filled the screen. I know that in some places where there is no room for scope size, they drop the top masking and show the wide image on a smaller screen. Is that what they do here? Even so, it must look sensational.
I’m going to see Casablanca here tonight — my first time in a Loew’s Wonder Theater, or in any movie palace for that matter, except Radio City.
I’m coming from downtown Brooklyn. Should I drive? How is traffic and how is parking? Should I take the PATH train?
See some of you there!
Links, please!
I wish I had! I’ve been in many others (see my comments on Boston’s Pilgrim Theater, for example) but if I had known back then that it was part of the old Strand Theater I would have made a special trip. Ah, hindsight, so to speak.
Although no x-rated movies played at the Strand/Warner, they certainly played at the Cine Orleans, built on the old Strand stage with its entrance on 47th Street. I remember the Cine’s facade was elaborate grillwork in the New Orleans style, but I never went inside.